The Panel is independent of the Legal Services Board and consists of eight lay members whose appointments are approved by the Lord Chancellor.

The Panel provides advice to the Board and publishes policy briefings, consultation responses, and research reports.

[8] Section 12 and Schedule 2 define six reserved legal activities:[5] This list can be amended by an Order in Council of the Chancellor (ss.

It is also an offence to pretend to be authorised (s. 17) An offender can be sentenced on summary conviction to up to six months' imprisonment and a fine of up to £5,000.

If convicted on indictment in the Crown Court an offender can be sentenced to up to two years' imprisonment and an unlimited fine.

An unauthorised person who purports to exercise a right of audience also commits a contempt of court for which he can be punished.

1 remain in place at the coming into force of the Act but thereafter, all changes to internal professional regulatory arrangements must be approved by the Board (s. 20/ Sch.

The Act creates a system whereby approved regulators can authorise licensed bodies to offer reserved legal services (ss.71–111).

[5] The Solicitors Regulation Authority licensed the first set of ABSs in 2012, including Cooperative Legal Services.

[5] The Act extends legal professional privilege to authorised persons other than barristers and solicitors (s.

[11] Where a litigant is represented in civil proceedings on a pro bono basis, it would be contrary to the indemnity principle to award costs to that person.